Q: Conflict of Interest
My daughters father was appointed a public defender that works very closely to the referee assigned on our case. My daughters law guardian and my attorney as well as ACS believe our child should stay with me. However, the referee blatantly disregards the ACS report and will not grant our request to allow her to begin school in the state I live in. Additionally, the only concern the referee has is “when can the dad see the child?” I have a TRO against the dad on behalf on my daughter for child endangerment and unsanitary living conditions. My child does not wish to live with her dad either. Why is the referee only listening to the PD’s request and is not forcing the dad to do drug treatment and or intensive therapy? The ref agrees that visits are to be supervised so this tells me she is aware of the potential harm dad has on our child. What can I do? I feel like the system is failing my child and I.
I live in NJ, dad lives in NY. NY state has the jurisdiction on our case.
Thank you
A: Just because the Referee and the court appointed counsel for the father know each other does not mean there is any conflict. Since court appointed counsel appear frequently of course they are familiar. You have an attorney so you need to address your concerns to your attorney.
Peter J. Weinman agrees with this answer
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